Posted on 08/29/2012 6:04:55 AM PDT by SharpRightTurn
TAMPA, Fla. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) on Tuesday said Republicans arent going to close the gap with Hispanic voters until they stop acting stupid.
Bush said many Hispanic voters share the GOPs commitment to faith, family and small government but have been alienated from the party by exclusionary rhetoric on immigration. But that, he said, is finally changing.
I promise you this is where the conservative cause is going, and thank God it is, he said to cheers at a lunch sponsored by the center-right Hispanic Leadership Network.
The advantage that Democrats have with Hispanics is a principal concern of Mitt Romneys campaign. The GOP standard-bearer badly trails President Obama among the voting bloc, and if the numbers dont improve, it could cost him the swing states of Colorado, Florida and Nevada and perhaps the entire election.
Republicans moved aggressively this week to close the gap, arranging a speakers slate at the convention heavy on Republicans of Latino descent. The outreach from the podium is being reinforced with Spanish-language ads from the Romney campaign.
Bush, whose wife is Hispanic, told The Hill that while jobs and education are the most important issues for the Latino community, more inclusive language and policies would be an important symbol that shows sensitivity for their concerns.
He also warned, in Spanish, that if Asians and Latinos, the fastest-growing populations in the United States, didnt feel comfortable in the party, were going to lose elections.
Thats not opinion thats math, he said.
Romney ran hard to the right on immigration during the primary, voicing his support for Arizonas controversial immigration law and arguing that illegal immigrants would self-deport if the United States turned off the magnets of easily accessible jobs and in-state tuition.
Hes softened his rhetoric on immigration somewhat since but mostly avoided talking about it.
Some in the party arent backing down. Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach (R), the author of the Arizona law and an informal adviser to the Romney campaign, pushed language into the official party platform that says laws like his should be encouraged, not attacked by the government. The platform advocates withholding federal funds from sanctuary cities and any universities that provide in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants.
A Romney campaign official downplayed the platform position and expressed confidence that they will reach their target of 38 percent support from Hispanics on Election Day.
The platform that counts is Mitt Romneys platform, Romney Hispanic outreach head and former Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez told The Hill. Hes got a son who speaks perfect Spanish. His warmth will connect with the Hispanic community. Hell be doing a lot more events, a lot more advertising. Theyll know him a lot more. I think from here on, its on the way up.
Romney launched a Spanish-language ad on Tuesday, and unlike previous commercials, it not only attacks President Obamas economic policies but also promises to help Latinos battered by the dismal economy.
I know how to revive the American Dream, Romney says in English, with Spanish subtitles. I will not let you down. I will work tirelessly to create more good-paying jobs, to reform the education system and to lower taxes.
Romney has also agreed to participate in a forum with Univision, the countrys largest Spanish-language TV network.
Gutierrez said that Romney, who aside from a June speech at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) has not talked much about immigration, was unlikely to address the issue in his convention speech.
He may mention it, but hes going to talk about the economy, he said.
Rep. Raul Labrador (R-Idaho) said Romneys NALEO speech was great, but only a start.
I think he needs to do a lot more, and I think he will. Its imperative. You cannot win a presidential election if you dont get at least 35 percent of the Hispanic vote, and I think its important for him to get out there and go after it, he told The Hill.
Al Cardenas, the head of the American Conservative Union and a Romney adviser, admitted the campaigns 38 percent goal would be tough to reach, but he said Romneys numbers with Latinos could improve. He said the candidates Thursday night convention speech could prove crucial to how much he narrows the gap.
Frankly, hes entered into this general election with a fairly empty canvas and the other sides done a pretty good opportunity of maligning it, Cardenas said.
Hes got to use this convention as his opportunity to open the eyes of the Hispanic community, say, Im a caring person, I care about you and the needs of the Hispanic community, and heres who I am.
He's one of two candidates who suddenly improved their grades late in the primary season.
Tell it to someone who has at least a grain of respect for you.
...it need an amber lamps
***
:)
Jeb is a traitor to the USA, period.
Deport Jeb Bush.
It’s amazing how many treasonous idiots the old man produced.
Evidently every one of them grew up believing that Mexico is their homeland.
“Bingo! Their strategy is to refuse to enforce immigration laws until we are deluged, then wring their hands and tell us that we have to pander to hispanics, since they are already here.”
I heard Michael Medved do exactly that within the space of a week. Why I was listening to that repackaged communist is another question.
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